To the Editor:
Being a football coach’s wife isn’t something you can take lightly. Being a coach’s wife or coach’s kid is very rewarding, but it can also be heartbreaking.
My family is in year 12, and some may say things get easier with each year, but they are wrong.
My family and I have been fortunate enough to be involved with some very great football programs from north to south Mississippi — programs that thrive and know what it takes to succeed.
When the opportunity arose in June of 2018 to come home to Attala County, my coach jumped on it. Despite all the phone calls warning him not to come because others were aware of the small town politics Ethel faced, he (we) jumped on it as a family. Being told you will have 3-5 years — at least — to turn this program around, my coach said, “Bring it on; I’m your guy.”
Year One wasn’t perfect, but my coach had support. He had a principal that came to him daily to ask if he needed anything or just to say, “Hey, I’ve got your back.”
Our two boys absolutely loved their schools, teachers, and friends. Things were going in the right direction. We were all very happy.
Year Two started off with the odds against him. Every coach in the state of Mississippi knows when you are hired under one administration and then go into a new administration, that means trouble — not all the time, but most.
Not one time did my coach have the support from the administration this second year. Not one time was he ever asked, “What can I help you with, Coach?” Heck, he wasn’t even greeted with a “good morning” when others were.
My children and myself watched my husband put everything he had into that program at Ethel High School. He wasn’t given the tools he needed to succeed. All the late nights up at the field house just to cut grass, the long hours breaking down film, the late, late night phone calls every day of the week. Players dropped like flies this year due to attitudes and/or not getting their way.
The players that stuck by him, the players that didn’t give up when things got tough, the ones who bought into changing the culture were ready to hit the weight room after their final loss. These guys new the foundation of change had been laid and they were willing to work in the off-season to make Year Three a success. They were HAPPY.
Things fell apart for my coach, our family and his players the Friday school was let out for Thanksgiving break.
The coach who wants Ethel to succeed, who loves his players more than any other coach possibly could, the one who wanted to retire in Ethel had his coaching duties taken from him simply because of an at-will contract. At-will contracts mean a principal can relieve a coach of his duties, justified or not. In my husband’s case, it was unjustified. Simply because a man has the power to do so doesn’t make it right … just so a buddy can be hired.
So no, my husband wasn’t even given a fair shot. It takes three to five years to change the culture of a football program and he was only given one fair year. One.
I really hope the district looks at getting rid of those contracts so no other coach/family has to be put through this. My boys have to change schools, my coach has to find a new job, and we may or may not have to physically move.
The stress, anxiety and heartache caused “just because” isn’t humane.
There were several other obstacles my husband faced and I must say I am very proud of the way my husband has stood up for himself.
I’m extremely proud of the example he is setting for our own children and his football players. We are very blessed with the love and support we have received from the players, parents and even other administrators.
I want to sincerely thank the parents who are now good friends of ours who did whatever was needed for my coach and all the boys. We would not have made it through this season without y’all. Some of y’all just let me vent and I’m forever grateful for that.
We hope nothing but the best for our Ethel Tiger boys and pray changes are made for you all to succeed.
Jamie McCrory
Ethel
